Gluing carbon fiber pieces together

[vwjuice]

Is there a way to glue carbon fiber pieces together? I want to make a radio plate tub out of carbon fiber, but don't know how to glue them together. I know your suppose to put ca glue on the edges so it doesn't separate.

[Charlie don't surf]

A thick CA can work, but an epoxy is better- I made a carbon fiber case for my large Maxmod tire truer that way-

[vwjuice]

Thanks Charlie, what kind of epoxy did you use? I'm thinking one of the two part epoxies? Also is there any special prep work to do to carbon fiber?

[Jay Dub]

The mating surfaces of the CF ned to be clean, and slighly roughened for the epoxy to adhere properly. As far as the type of epoxy you want, you may want to do some research (IDK off hand). General rule o thumb, the more expensive the better. -Jeff

[tamiya]

i use CA to seal CF edges (it soaks into the fibres)
but use Epoxy when i sandwich 2 CF sheets to double its thickness


sounds like you're making a "gingerbread house" if all you're doing is gluing flat panels into a box.

Not sure how 'strong' the epoxy will be though... nowhere near CF's strength definitely.
Butt/bevel/cornice jointing the CF leaving minimal gap will increase joint strength
but imho your box will still shatter into 6 panels if dropped.

3D CF objects are made by laying the CFibre into mold then vacuum/pressure/heat
the resin inbetween the fibres, that's what makes it strong & whole

When constructing out of sheet CF... if you have corner & edge reinforcement like
barstock aluminium that the CF panels screw into, would add a lot of rigidity.